It's a nice idea, especially since he can slide into Gonchar's role once he leaves as well. Only issue is that I don't think Sens management is willing to pay a premium for him now, when they told him a few years back they weren't interested.

If the price would be something like Condra/Regin + Puempel + 2nd I'm sure they would have interest, but something tells me that a contender would give up a heck of a lot more than that for Boyle.

Sorry, don't really see a deal to be made here. There isn't much aside from the untouchables that I'd want from Ottawa.
An offer somewhat enticing would be like Smith, Greening+, which of course you wouldn't do since that kills your forward depth.

If the cap goes down San Jose is gonna need to shed some salary. Since Cowen is injured, Sens need defense. With Boyle being from Ottawa and all I think he'd be a good fit.

Is an overpayment from Ottawa needed here?

One, if the cap does go down, it won't until the start of next season. Two, by then, the Sharks will have contracts off the books and won't require to shed that much salary to be compliant. Boyle's not going to be a cap casualty and the only way the Sharks would contemplate dealing him is if they get legitimate value for him. Most teams with his age, cap number, and only one year after are not going to value him to the point that it would entice the Sharks to trade him...most likely.

It's a nice idea, especially since he can slide into Gonchar's role once he leaves as well. Only issue is that I don't think Sens management is willing to pay a premium for him now, when they told him a few years back they weren't interested.

If the price would be something like Condra/Regin + Puempel + 2nd I'm sure they would have interest, but something tells me that a contender would give up a heck of a lot more than that for Boyle.

You want us to trade a roster player + a blue chip prospect (at the least a nice prospect) and a 2nd for a guy who will retire fairly soon? Get real.

I like Boyle, but I feel that acquiring him isn't the direction the Sens should be going in.

Don't get me wrong: if we could get a bargain on him, I'd be all-in, but I feel as though the kind of team that values Boyle the most would be teams in "win now mode", which isn't exactly where the Sens are at the moment.

By the time we DID get to "win now" mode, Boyle would be approaching super-declining vet status. Just doesn't make sense.

If Ottawa is targeting a defenceman via trade, they need to be looking for guys closer to 30 than 40. Again, that's just the way the team is built at the moment. Doesn't tarnish Boyle by saying Sens fans probably decline most Boyle offers: it's just not the direction we're going.